Manningham returned to practice last week and could be activated off the team’s physically unable to perform List soon. He’s been working with the the first-team offense in England and even caught his first touchdown pass of the season — in a workout before the 49ers game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Mario looks good,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said on Thursday, via the team’s website. “Mario is a guy that has really good understanding of football. He’s a guy we’d probably use the word savvy to describe.

“I really like how he runs routes. How he understands leverage as the play develops.”

Roman said that right guard Alex Boone and everyone else welcomed the six-year veteran back by erupting in celebration when Manningham scored.

“Mario’s been working really hard,” Patrick Willis, the 49ers team captain said. “I feel like he’s been a good receiver for a while. He’s battled some injuries but he’s worked his tail off.”

Mannigham suffered a knee injury in Week 16 of the 2012 regular season.

“To see him out there running routes really well, I can’t wait for the opportunity to see him back out there in action,” Willis said. “I know he’ll help the offense a lot.”